By means of Presidential Decree No. 91/18, of 10 Abril 2018, the President of the Republic approved the rules and procedures applicable to the abandonment of wells and decommissioning of oil and gas facilities in Angola (onshore and offshore). Presidential Decree 91/18 is a somewhat long statute, notably due to the various annexes, including an extensive list of technical specifications. This statute entered into force on the date of its publication and applies to all petroleum concessions.
 
Under Presidential Decree 91/18, abandonment and decommissioning activities are inter alia subject to the principles of restoration of the environment and landscape, and of holding Contracting Entities liable for funding abandonment and decommissioning activities.
 
The following can be pointed out as additional highlights on the matters governed by Presidential Decree 91/18:

• Exclusion of decommissioning of downstream infrastructures;
• Obligation of Contracting Entities to prepare a provisional and a final abandonment plan and requirements for their drafting and approval;
• Carrying out of inspection and auditing activities by the authorities prior to, during and after abandonment and decommissioning activities;
• Provisioning, methodology and cost estimation of abandonment funds;
• Technical specifications;
• Forms of certificate of abandonment and decommissioning, handover of wells and facilities, and applicable liability release and indemnification; and
• Terms and conditions of escrow account.

Should you wish to receive further information on the new rules, a copy of the new statute or the relevant English translation, please contact:
[email protected]